Machine for distributing material on lawns, etc.



L. A. MILLS El AL April 18, 1933.

MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING MATERIAL on LAWNS, ETC

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 20, 1931 x. W BY 1W0 %W TTORNEY' April 18, 1933. L M|LLs ET AL 1,903,874

MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING MATERIAL 0N LAWNS, ETC

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 20, 1931 \w b\ v 9 ll DQDDDDDDDNVQKANAUDQNUDQ3900000 1| K o E J \\\m QM \WR, \v I W T T W T :NM \M mlilm Q I Q a. 4 N X 1 L mlllmln QMtozs April 18, 1933. MILLS ET'IAL 1,903,874

MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING MATERIAL ON LAWNS, ETC

Filed June 20, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS mw 6 M I TORNEY A ril 18, 1933. 1.. A. MILLS ET AL MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING MATERIAL ON LAWNS, ETC

Filed June 20, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A ril 18, 1933. L. A. MILLS ET AL MACHINE FOR DISTRIBUTING MATERIAL ON LAWNS, ETC

Filed June 20, 1951 5 Sheets5heet 5 INVENTORS wvwb M ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18,1933 v i I. V

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LoN A. m'rLLsor-xNoxvmLnnNn KYLE irNYNATT, or FOUNTAIN CITY, 1

- r i TENNESSEE MAcHINE ma nIsTRI uTme MATERIAL N LAWNS, ETC.

jApplication filed June 20, 1931. Serial No. 545,728.

Thisinvention relates to an improved ma- The axle .5 extends entirely through the chine for distributing material on lawns, lower portlon of the'receptacle 1, as also do golf-courses, fairways, and the like. the two shafts 6 and 7, the ends of the-axle Heretofore at least two cumbersome maturning loosely in the hubs of the two trac- 5 chines have been required to distribute seed, tion-wheels 8, one being located at each end 55 fertilizer, and top-dressing ongrass-plots, of the machine. These preferably have such as lawns, golf-courses, fairways, cemepneumatic tires to afford traction and in orteries, "parks and the like. 'These are costly der to create the minimum disturbance to I and often so heavy thatthe tear up the turf, the ground and turf asthe machine is drawn and on making turnsfrequently scrapefor along. The main drive-gears 9, of which to long distances as they have usually been there ls'one at each end of themachine, are geared from. one only of the traction-wheels. keyed'to the axle 5, and a circular plate 10 Our machine obviates these objections, and adjacent thereto is secured to the inner end combines the functions of at least two maof the hub of each wheel 8. p i5 chines as hitherto used, that is to say isadapt- A pawl 11 is pivoted to the inner side of ed for the distribution of a measured or preeach plate 10, and each pawl is pressed in one determined quantity of seed, fertilizenand direction by a spring 12 as shownin Fig. 10. top dressing, or anyone or two of these as re- These pawls engage the teeth 13 internally H quired. It distributes the material accord arranged in the gear-wheel 9, their function V ing to selection and adjustment evenly, being to lock the wheels 8 to the axle 5 when '2 quickly, and throughout its forward movethe machine is pulled forward or either end ment, whether at a turn or in a straight path, of the machine is swung forward in the are so long as it is geared for operation, and it of a circle, so that rotary motion is transmitmay be thrown out of gear during transported to the axle in one direction only; in other 2 tation from one place'of use to another. words, when the machine is hacked or one F5 The machine is comparatively light, easy end is backed in a circle, the pawls 11 ride to pull alon the turf, and does not injure the freely over the teeth 13 in the gear-wheel 9.

turf even w on moved over the softest earth.- The ends of the shafts 6 and 7 are jour- In the accompanying drawings: naled in the opposite sides of the receptacle 1 3 Fig. 1 is a plan view; I v and extend parallel with each other and with 89 Fig. 2 is a front view partly in section; the axle. The shaft 6 carries a feed-roller Fig. 3 is'an end elevation with one trac- 14 from the surface of which the blades 15 tion-wheelremoved; V V preferably extend tangentially as viewed in Figs. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional Figs. 4 and 5, their function being to stir, mix views showing different adjustments; and feed the seed and fertilizer when both 85 Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views through are discharged from the receptacle above, two forms of rotary spreader; or either when the'forward compartment of Figs. 8 and 9, are views of the transmission the receptacle contains seed or fertilizer. gears showing different adjustments; In orderto confine the seed and fertilizer,

Fig.10 is an'internal view of the main or seed or fertilizer within bounds and in- .99 drive-gear; 1 sure its even discharge through the orifices Fig. 11 is a section through thesam'e;and 16 in the front of the machine, a curved Figs. 12 and 13; are enlarged details. shield17 forms a bottom beneath these blades The main receptacle 1, which carriesflthe 15 and curves upwardly around and partly material to be distributed, in supported by a over them. The blades 15, shield 17, and Q frame 2, the forward end of which is in the' orifices 16 extend throughout the width of form of a'handlef3 from which a rest 4' exthe machine. A false bottom-18 is located tends downwardly to afford support of the above the feed-roller and upon an incline, forward portion of the machine when at just above the feed-roller 14 with an opening 50 rest. 19 at the forward edge through which the material above issues into the chamber formed by the shield 17, and where it is stirred and fed by the rotating blades 15.

A similar drum 20 is carried by the shaft 7, and radial blades 21 are secured to this drum. These blades are preferably, although not necessarily, made of channel-iron as illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 7. These are intended to be a little sturdier than the blades 15 as they are located at the bottom of a portion of the receptacle intended for the distribution of top soil to be scattered over the seed and fertilizer.

A door 22 is located above these blades 21, and preferably is hinged to the fixed solid center partition 23 in the lower end of the receptacle, its purpose being more or less to regulate the discharge of soil from the supply above, and to open the door wide, it may be swung to a vertical position. A. partition 24 is hinged to the upper edge of the fixed partition 23 and may be swung into either of the positions shown in Fig. 5, for instance to the left as shown in full lines when the receptacle 1 contains top soil only, or it may be swung to the opposite position as indicated in dotted. lines when the hopper contains seed and fertilizer alone, or it may be raised to a vertical position as indicated in Fig. 4 when fertilizer and seed as well as top soil are to be discharged upon the ground, and when in this position a removable partition 25 having the forks 26 is employed as an extension of the pivoted partition 24 by sliding it down with the forks 26 astride of partition 24 as is shown in Fig. 4. 'VVhen thus adjusted, the receptacle 1 is divided into two separate compartments from the fixed partition 23 to the top.

The relative size of these compartments may be adjusted by swinging the removable partition 25 with the hinged partition 24 to the right or left, as desired, and held in this position by the pins 27, there being one at each end in position to enter one of the holes 28 provided to receive them in accordance with the desired and predetermined adjustment.

The discharge of the top soil is between the drum 20 and a hinged door 29 extending across the rear of the receptacle. The extent of opening is regulated by the spring latch hand-lever 32 which is secured to a crank-shaft 32 which is supported in bearings 32 on opposite sides of the frame 2 and capable of being rocked backward or forward in said bearings. The ends of this crank-shaft 32 are turned down to form cranks 32 and from these cranks, rods 31 extend through a cross-bar 31 secured throughout the length of the lower edge of the door 29. Each of these rods has a collar 31 loose thereon, backed by a spring 30v The collar backed by the spring forms a stop and limits the extent to which the door 29 may open with the normal discharge, and the spring 30 permits the door to open still further under excessive pressure due to a stone, hard lump or other extraneous sub stance working down to the drum, thus preventing choking or jamming which might otherwise result.

The degree of normal opening of the door under normal pressure is regulated by adjusting the hand-lever 32 on the segment 33. In the position shown in Fig. 3, it permits an extreme opening of the door 29. By moving the hand-lever back to one of the other notches, according to the requirements of operation, the opening of the door is limited by striking the slidable stop 3]" on the rod 31, except as explained under excessive choking and jamming.

The size of the orifices 16 is regulated by a sliding-gate 34 and this gate is controlled by any approved mechanism, such for instance as shown in Fig. 2, in which a slidable rack-bar 35 is connected with the togglelevers 36 at 35 These toggle levers are fulcrumed to the receptacle at 37 and pivotally connected at 38 with the links 39 which extend to the gate.

By raising the rack-bar 35 and engaging one of its teeth with the stud 40, the gate is lowered to reduce the size of the orifices 16; and to increase their size the bar 35 is moved in the reverse direction and locked.

An apron 41 may be used to prevent the seed and fertilizer from being disturbed by the wind, and this may be removably supported by the hooks 42 over the axle 5 as shown in Fig. 4, and hooks 42 over braces The shafts 6 and 7 with their blades turn in opposite directions as indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, and motion is transmitted to the shafts 6 and 7 through a chain of gears as better viewed in Figs. 3, 8 and 9. lVhen in operative position, the gears are set as shown in Fig. 3, the drive-gear 9 transmitting through the intermeshed idlers 43 and 44 to the gear-wheel 45 on shaft 7 and from the main drive-gear 9 through the idler 46 to the gear-wheel 47 on the shaft 6; and when thus adjusted, with the forward movement of the machine, the shafts 6 and 7 with their drums and blades are rotated in opposite directions and preferably at the same speed.

A steel plate 5 at each end reinforces the ends of the machine and affords additional support for the bearings of the three axles 5, 6 and 7, thus preventing the machine from being sprung or pulled out of shape under any circumstances.

The gearing is controlled by two latch hand-levers clearly viewed in Fig. 3 under the control of the operator. When it is desired to throw the gears into neutral, the hand-lever 48 is pulled forward. This carries the idlers 43 and 44, and pulling the lever 48 forward to another notch until the teeth of wheels 44 and 45 are disengaged and pushing the latch hand-lever 50 backward to the notch 51, it throws gear 46 out of mesh with gear-wheels ,9 and 47, or, as illustrated in full lines and dotted lines in Fig. 9. This stops the motion of both feed-rollers, or is the neutral position of the gears. r

If it is desired to distribute seed and fertilizer alone, the hand-lever 50 is pulled forward to the position shown in Fig. 3, and the hand-lever 48 is pulled forward to another notch on segment 49, throwing the gears into the positions illustrated in Fig. 8.

If, on the other hand, the operator is using top-dressing alone, the lever 50 is pushed back to notch 51, disengaging gear 46 from gears 9 and 47 and the forward roller 14 ceases to rotate. 7

Thus in a single machine, as distinguished from other machines on the market, we are enabled to distribute seed, fertilizer and topdressing in a single machine, or seed or fertilizer alone, or top-dressing only, according to the requirements of the ground being treated. Furthermore, a measured and predetermined quantity of material may be used, for instance if .two hundred pounds of fertilizer or other material is allotted for a certain area for golf-courses, the hinged or swinging partitions in the compartments of the receptacle 1 may be set accordingly.

In other words, if a certain number of pounds of fertilizer, top-dressing, seed, or any other material, or any one or two of them are required for golf-courses, lawns, or cemeteries, by the adjustment of the gears and the hinged or swinging partitions in the receptacle the proper proportions of materials are maintained, and they are evenly distributed throughout the entire movement of the machine, whether in straight or curved lines during the turning of the machine at the end of a course or what not.

In short, this machine will feed any material as long as the wheels or one of the wheels is turning and in gear, whether straight or turning, whereas other machines in use some times run as much as halfway across the green before feeding after turning.

We claim:

1. The combination with a truck, a receptacle, feed-drums located in the neighborhood of the discharge end of the receptacle, an adjustable partition Within the receptacle for regulating the capacity of the chambers formed by the adjustable partition in the receptacle, said partition comprising a pivoted member-and a member removably connected therewith and having means for fixing it in different adjustments.

2. A machine of the character described including a truck, a receptacle mounted thereon having an outlet, a feed-roller mounted in the outlet, and a horizontally disposed hinged cover located above said feed-roller and projecting fromone side of the receptacle to a point beyond-the center of the roller for normally partiallyclosing the outlet to the feed roller. V

3. A machine of the character described including -a truck, a receptacle mounted thereon having an: outlet, a feed-roller mounted in the outlet, a horizontally disposed hinged cover located above said feed-roller and projecting from one side of the receptacle to a point beyond the center of the roller for normally partially closing one side of the outlet to the feed roller, and a hinged door at the open side of the outlet by the feed-roller which yields to excessive pressure for the discharge of stones and extraneous material.

4. The combination of a truck, a receptacle, a hinged door to the outlet of the receptacle, a crank-shaft extending across the frame of the truck and capable of being rocked, cranks extending from'the crankshaft, rods extending from thecranks and slidably connected with the door, and having spring-backed slidable stops on their outer ends for limiting the opening of the door and yielding to excess pressure on the door, and a hand-lever for rocking and locking. the crank-shaft.

5. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle, a movable door arranged in position to regulate the discharge of material from the receptacle, rods connected with op posite end portions of the door, means for holding the rods and a spring-pressed abutment slidably mounted on each rod in position for bearing of the door thereagainst.

6. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle, a movable door arranged in position to regulate the discharge of material from the receptacle, rods connected with opposite end portions of the door, means for holding the rods, a spring-pressed abutment slidably mounted on each rod in position for bearing of the door thereagainst, and means connected with the rods for causing longitudinal movement thereof.

7. In a machineof the character described, a receptacle, an upright movable door arranged in position to regulate the discharge of material from the receptacle, rods extending transversely of the receptacle and slidable through a portion of the door, an abutment slidable on each rod, a spring bearing against said abutment, and a crankshaft connected with the rods for causing longitudinal movement thereof.

8. In a machine of the character described, a receptacle, a movable door arranged in position to regulate a discharge of material from the receptacle, rods extending outwardly from the door, means for holding the rods and a spring-pressed abutment mounted on each rod in position for hearing of the door thereagainst.

In testimony whereof We have signed our names this third day of June, in the year one thousand nine hundred and thirty-one.

LON A. MILLS. KYLE H. MYNATT. 

